Eitsu's Nine Lives (永津の九生) [yuri/GL yokai reincarnation story]

38 - Taro

A/N: It's on time it's on time it's-

Wow, I'm actually getting these chapters out on the days I said I would haha

CW: references to suicide ig

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"I would advise you to be more respectful to Her Majesty." Mou's voice was almost colder than the air around them.

"Why?"

"W... What do you mean, 'why'?"

"Do you need me to say it in another language?"

What other language? It would be the same even if you said it in Swahili.

"You're heartless."

"Oh no. You got me," Eitsu remarked, blinding Mou with her enthusiastic contriteness.

Of course Eitsu knew Izanami's story. Even if she had little to no interest in others, one would have to be living on the moon not to know.

Actually, it was very likely that the people of the moon tribe knew too.

That was how well known Izanami's pitiful story was. Izanagi went around with his head held high like he had a completely clear conscience, while his ex-wife nursed her shame and resentment in the depths of the afterlife.

What would the Queen of Yomi hate the most, then?

Fed up with Eitsu, Mou ended the interview, leaving the kaibyou to cause trouble elsewhere.

Yomi was a vast land. Eitsu wandered here and there for days, weeks, perhaps months. Time didn't mean much down here. Time didn't mean much to a kami.

Occasionally she saw Mou, and once or twice Kana, and Jihi. She kept well away from the decaying town where Mitsui Toi lurked amongst her rotting fabrics. Hundreds of thousands of deceased souls passed by her every day. Unconsciously, her eyes always sought out the light-footed female ghosts with long, long hair.

She was pattering her way in cat form down a grey countryside road when she saw a figure approaching.

"Shinigami Jihi."

"Eitsubyou no Mikoto." The shinigami bowed. "There's been a request for you."

"For me?"

"There is a spirit here who would like to speak with you. Would you like to meet them?"

Stay calm. Eitsu felt her heart leave her chest and claw at the back of her tongue. "Take me to them."

"This-" Jihi stopped speaking in surprise as Eitsu leapt lightly up onto her shoulder. She closed her mouth and waved her hand. The countryside around them shivered and transformed into a silent village. The empty eyes of the wooden houses stared at them as Jihi walked along the road. She paused at the door of of one of these houses, and knocked.

An old man opened the door.

Eitsu's disappointment was hidden by her cat-appearance. A moment later, she realised that she did, in fact, recognise this man.

"You're... the ojiisan, from the village near Obanashi."

He stared at her for a moment, before letting out a little chuckle. "I see, I see. Well, one truly does understand so much more after death. I greet you, Eitsubyou no Mikoto. My humble name is Tanchozuru no Taro."

"Humble? That's a very impressive clan name."

"Ha ha, I'm one of the poor relatives. Or I was. Please, come in."

Eitsu jumped down and trotted inside, as Jihi bowed and disappeared. The kaibyou found a folded futon and settled down on it.

"So. What happened to you?" she asked bluntly.